"Henrietta Lacks was a poor, Black tobacco farmer whose cells (which could be kept alive and grown) -- taken without her knowledge in 1951 (from a cancerous tumor) -- became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, and more. Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold by the BILLIONS, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance." (Source)An awesome, awesome book was written about her story called The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Oprah is reportedly planning to make a movie on the story, as well!
29 Days of Black History, Day 29
Feb 29, 2012
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